THE CEO'S SECRET

My Father's wishes

Chapter 2

After a whole day of driving out the town, trying to delay the inevitable. I finally instructed my driver to drive us home.

As we approached the estate, the familiar sight sent a rush of emotions through me. The Blackwood Estate loomed larger with each passing mile, and by the time I reached the gates, that familiar knot tightened in my chest.

The car pulled into the estate and came to a stop. As I stepped out of the car, I noticed a man coming out of the house and then a sleek black car rolled up and parked right in front of him. He was about stepping in when he noticed me. His face lit up instantly.

It was Victor Peterson, Blackwood Empire’s Vice Chairman, dressed in a tailor suit, his graying hair neatly combed back. He still exudes confidence and authority, like remembered.

“Dominic,” Victor greeted him with a firm nod, his voice deep and steady. “Good to see you, son.”

Victor had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. Someone I had always respected and sometimes feared.

I had also dated his daughter back in the days, Maggie Peterson, my first love. I smiled at the thought of her.

“Mr. Peterson,” I replied, offering a polite smile. “It’s been a long time.”

“Too long.” He paused, “Sorry about your old man, it's really sad" he said, his tone sober now

I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Yeah, it is".

Victor clasped him on my shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. “It’s good that you’ve come back to take over the reins. I know your father and I had our differences, but I offered him my loyalty, and I’m extending that same loyalty and support to you now.”

I nodded in appreciation. I was really counting on his support.

His assistant, approached us, she reminded him of a meeting he had to be.

“I have to go now, but it’s good to have you back Dominic” He said, and he gave me one last pat on the shoulder. “Remember what I said. You’ve got an ally in me.”

With that, Victor slid back into the car, and drove off.

****************

Stepping into the grand foyer, it was all too familiar, the golden chandeliers overhead shone brightly, casting a warm light on the marble floors. Fresh flowers decorated every corner.

I stood there, taking it all in when I heard a voice behind me.

“Feels the same, doesn’t it?”

I turned to find Aunt Beatrice standing in the doorway, her eyes sharp but warm. My father’s older sister, who was now in charge of the Blackwood household. She hadn’t changed much, except for the streaks of silver in her hair.

“Aunty Bea,” I said, walking over to hug her. “It’s been too long.”

“You finally decided to grace us with your presence.” She smiled, wrapping her arms around me. “France must have done wonders for you. You look good, Dominic.”

I chuckled softly, pulling back. “I survived. That’s what matters. The business school kept me busy.”

Her smile softened, and she patted my arm. “Good to have you back.”

I let my eyes wander around the room, taking in the luxurious surroundings. “Nothing’s changed. It’s exactly how I remember it.”

“Your father made sure of that,” she said lightly. “He wouldn’t let me change a single thing without his approval.”

The mention of my father made my stomach twist. Aunty Beatrice must have sensed my discomfort because she touched my arm gently.

“Do you want to see him?” she asked softly.

I clenched my jaw. A part of me knew I should see him, but the thought of facing him in his current state... I wasn’t ready.

“Not yet,” I replied, shaking my head.

She nodded, understanding. “Take your time. He’s not going anywhere.”

A soft knock interrupted us. The door opened, and a woman walked in, looking a little unsure of herself. I froze.

The mystery woman from last night.

There she was, my one night stand. Standing awkwardly by the door, looking completely out of place. The one whose name I hadn’t even asked, and now she’s here, in my house, standing in front of me like a ghost from the night before. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

My eyes locked onto her, trying to piece together the puzzle in my head.

“Excuse me,” She said, her voice soft but clear.

Beatrice turned, her expression instantly cold. “What are you doing here? Who let you in?”

She shifted on her feet, her gaze flickering to me for a split second before she lowered her eyes.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. Mr. Thompson, the lawyer, asked me to come here.”

“This is an exclusive family meeting,” Beatrice snapped. “You are not welcomed here.”

Audrey’s face flushed, and she bit her lip, clearly embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll wait outside.”

She turned and left the room. I couldn’t believe my eyes, she didn’t even flinch when she saw me, like it was perfectly normal to run into each other again… in my own home. The whole thing felt wrong. I stood there, trying to make sense of it all.

I turned to Aunty Bea, she clearly knew this woman. “Who is she?”

Beatrice let out a sigh, her expression softening, “Audrey Donovan,” she began slowly, as if measuring her words. “I didn’t know much about her until after your father’s stroke. She’s the daughter of Robert Donovan, one of our drivers. He worked for us for years until he died. But…”

“But what?” I asked.

Aunty Beatrice hesitated, glancing back at the door where Audrey had just disappeared moments ago. “Your father… kept her close. I don’t know the full extent of their relationship, but I’ve seen them together, years back, not long after you moved to France. Private dinners, meetings at a hotel. It was all very discreet, but… I knew something was going on.”

“Another one,” I muttered under my breath. I clenched my fists tighter, my knuckles going white. She hooked up with me last night without hesitation, knowing full well who I was. My father had his share of secrets, but this, Audrey, felt like the worst of them. Shameless. Manipulative. I couldn’t help but think of her as a predator, working her way through the Blackwood family like some... shameless w***e.

Aunty Beatrice’s voice softened, a mix of concern and caution. “Dominic, whatever their relationship was, she isn’t the enemy. Your father… cared for her, in his own way.”

“Cared for her? Is that what we’re calling it now?” I scoffed, the sound bitter in my throat.

“But I don’t understand, she just said the lawyer asked her to come here, why?” I asked, Aunty Beatrice shook her head, she was clearly as confused as I was.

At that moment, Mr. Thompson walked in, his presence shifting the atmosphere instantly. He greeted us briefly before gesturing for everyone to sit. I hadn’t even noticed when Audrey was called back into the room, but there she was again, sitting quietly with her hands in her lap. I could barely look at her.

Mr. Thompson cleared his throat and placed a thick file on the table, adjusting his glasses as he began. “As per Mr. Edward Blackwood’s wishes, his son, Dominic Blackwood, is now his legal representative. You will be responsible for all his business interests, properties, and personal assets.”

I expected this. I knew it was coming. I have been groomed for this all my life. But it didn’t make it any easier. I wondered if I could fit into his big shoes.

But then Mr. Thompson continued, flipping through the papers with a deliberate pause. “There’s one more condition,” he said slowly. “Before you can take full control of the estate, before your father’s shares in the business can be transferred to you, your father has requested that you marry.”

My heart stopped.

“And the woman he has chosen for you,” Mr. Thompson continued, “is Audrey Donovan.”

The room fell deathly silent. Marry her? What the hell?

“This is his only condition,” Mr. Thompson said, reading from the document. “In his words, ‘She is precious to me. Please take good care of her.’”

Precious. That word echoed in my mind. My father had used it before, with other women, other secrets. And now, he wanted me to marry one of them?

My father, even now, incapacitated, was still pulling the strings. I couldn’t stay there a moment longer. Without a word, I pushed back from the table and stormed out of the room, barely hearing Aunty Beatrice or Mr. Thompson calling after me.

Out in the cold night air, I tried to breathe, but the weight of everything threatened to crush me. This house, this family, my father’s legacy, it was all a prison. And now, thanks to him, Audrey Donovan was part of that prison too.